The Kansas City Chiefs are seemingly at a crossroads and in the next year or so they might have to make the decision to blow this team up, go with youngsters and start a complete and total rebuilding project. It's ironic that just as their defense is finally starting to improve their offensive line, which had long been one of the best in the business, is now in total disarray and with some huge questions at the quarterback position as well this could be a long year for the Chiefs. Will this draft class be enough to stop the bleeding?

For years the Chiefs were somehow able to get by, if not excel, with very average starting wide receivers but those days have come and gone and the likes of Eddie Kennison and Samie Parker were just not able to get the job done in 2006. In an attempt to remedy the situation the Chiefs chose L.S.U.'s Dwayne Bowe in round one of the draft and Kansas City hopes he will be able to give their passing game the shot in the arm that it needs. A big, physical wideout with a knack for making the big play, Bowe still has some issues with dropped balls but he was absolutely dominant all week long at the Senior Bowl and has legitimate #1 potential. Look for Bowe to come in and push for a starting job right off the bat and if nothing else he offers the Chiefs an entirely different type of target than they had before and will be a good change of pace from Kennison and Parker.

Later on Day One Kansas City continued their efforts to upgrade the defensive line and with the end positions seemingly set with Jared Allen and last year's #1 pick Tamba Hali they turned their attention inside to tackle. In round two the Chiefs chose Turk McBride of Tennessee, who enjoyed a dramatic rise up draft boards in the months leading up to the big day. A bit of a tackle / end 'tweener who has experience at both position and could project to either at the next level, McBride was buried on the depth chart behind three future pros (Jesse Mahelona, Justin Harrell, and Tony McDaniel) early in his career and didn't really get an opportunity to shine until 2006 but he made the most of it and had an outstanding senior campaign. With Jared Allen facing a four game suspension to start the year McBride could be the favorite to start opposite Hali in his place when the '07 season kick off and with Allen's contract situation still very much up in the air it could be a chance for him to audition to be his replacement. In round three the Chiefs gambled on North Carolina St. defensive tackle DeMarcus "Tank" Tyler, who would have gone much earlier if not for some character concerns. Tyler played on the same defensive line that produced three 2006 first round picks (Mario Williams, Manny Lawson and John McCargo) but he saved his best for last and really came through with a great senior campaign, which sent his draft stock skyrocketing. Tyler is a guy who will take some plays off but if the Chiefs can get a consistent effort out of him he'll have a chance to be the impact interior lineman that this team's been looking for.

In round five the Chiefs nabbed a guy who I really liked in Louisville running back Kolby Smith, who might also be able to see some action at fullback in the pros. After backing up future pros like Eric Shelton, Lionel Gates and Michael Bush for most of his career Smith finally got a chance to shine as a senior when Bush went down with an injury and he took advantage, coming through with a nice senior campaign in the Cardinals high-powered offense. Larry Johnson is obviously firmly entrenched as the starter but they need someone to help ease his load, which Michael Bennett was unable to do in 2006, and with the situation at fullback extremely questionable at best there should be an opportunity for Smith to get on the field one way or another as a rookie. Watch out for this guy because he has the tools to outperform his draft position. With their next choice later on in round five Kansas City chose U.C.L.A. kicker Justin Medlock, who will start for them barring a major upset. Most felt that Colorado's Mason Crosby was a mortal lock to be the first kicker chosen this year but Medlock actually came off the board first and the team was so confident in his abilities that they saw fit to trade away Lawrence Tynes shortly after the draft. Medlock has a strong leg and is coming off a big senior season but there are some concerns about his consistently and ability to come through in pressure situations but I liked him and felt he was a better prospect than he was given credit for.

Despite their offensive line being almost in shambles thanks to the retirements of Willie Roaf and Will Shields the Chiefs waited until round six to bring in some reinforcements when they selected Herbert Taylor of T.C.U. An athletic college offensive tackle who will likely move inside to guard or center in the pros, Taylor lacks ideal size but could excel in Kansas City's scheme. Look for Taylor to have a better than average shot at making the opening day roster as a backup and he could even surprise down the line. With their final pick in round seven Kansas City opted for a developmental tight end to groom behind Tony Gonzalez when they selected Michael Allan out of Whitworth. Allan, who was the only Division III player invited to the Scouting Combine, has good size, speed, athleticism and hands but he'll be making a huge jump in competition and is more of a long-term project. With Gonzalez, Jason Dunn and Kris Wilson atop the depth chart Allan might face an uphill battle just to make the roster and the practice squad could be in his immediate future.

Even though this was a good Draft Day effort by the Chiefs it still wasn't enough to plug all of their holes and after years of contention the franchise could be on the verge of taking a big step backwards. Guys like Bowe, Medlock, McBride and Tyler will play crucial roles as rookies and will be building blocks for the future but it's impossible to ignore the issues they have up front and under center on offense. Buckle up Chiefs fans because I have a feeling things are going to get a lot worse before they get better.

GRADE: B

Sure-Oz

06-23-2007, 11:43 AM

Build from the draft is what we need the next 2 or 3 years

CoMoChief

06-23-2007, 12:36 PM

I still don't know why we drafted Michael Allan. Stupid pick IMO.

ChiefsCountry

06-23-2007, 12:53 PM

I still don't know why we drafted Michael Allan. Stupid pick IMO.

Maybe bc Dunn is old as crap and Bigfoot is our new starting fb. Its a 7th round pick that could turn out pretty good, Allan has the size, speed, and hands to be a good tight end just bc he played at D3 school kept down.

Pitt Gorilla

06-23-2007, 12:59 PM

Aren't we already "blowing this team up?" We're certainly getting a lot younger while still attempting to be competitive.

Bowser

06-23-2007, 02:02 PM

I still don't know why we drafted Michael Allan. Stupid pick IMO.

LMAO

Mr Luzcious

06-23-2007, 02:18 PM

Repost!

Tribal Warfare

06-23-2007, 02:33 PM

Repost!

Where????????? post the link of the original

Eric

06-23-2007, 02:34 PM

kris wilson watch.

blueballs

06-23-2007, 02:37 PM

people get paid for this

Mr Luzcious

06-23-2007, 02:40 PM

Where????????? post the link of the original

http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showthread.php?t=164722

milkman

06-23-2007, 04:31 PM

Good god, this guy doesn't have a freakin' clue.

TRR

06-23-2007, 04:42 PM

I don't think most reporters realize that KC has vets on their O Line like John Welbourn, Chris Terry, and Damien McIntosh, along with some good young guys in Will Svitek, Kevin Sampson, and Rudy Nuswanger. They also have a couple of guys like Chris Bober that can fill in at almost every position when times get real tough.

I like our O Line. It's not going to be as dominate as in years past, but will definitely be better than last season. Black was terrible at LT, Shields was a shell of his former self, and the RT position was a freakin mess all season long. Barring injury, we will at least have 5 guys start in the same 5 spots all season long. And some guys like Welbourn finally get to move back to their natural position. (RG)

HemiEd

06-23-2007, 05:56 PM

I don't think most reporters realize that KC has vets on their O Line like John Welbourn, Chris Terry, and Damien McIntosh, along with some good young guys in Will Svitek, Kevin Sampson, and Rudy Nuswanger. They also have a couple of guys like Chris Bober that can fill in at almost every position when times get real tough.

I like our O Line. It's not going to be as dominate as in years past, but will definitely be better than last season. Black was terrible at LT, Shields was a shell of his former self, and the RT position was a freakin mess all season long. Barring injury, we will at least have 5 guys start in the same 5 spots all season long. And some guys like Welbourn finally get to move back to their natural position. (RG)

Does any major writer, other than jwhit, actually know this team?

Mecca

06-23-2007, 06:48 PM

He's a draft guy.......He gives the draft a solid grade just says he doesn't think the Chiefs will be very good this year...

Also if you threw out Kevin Sampson and Will Svitek to even me I'd laugh and ask you which one got hurt by being breathed on this time.....None of those young guys are "good" till they show they're good.